Gazelle Scarab vs Hanging Thief Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Gazelle Scarab Hanging Thief Robber Fly
Scientific Name Onthophagus gazella Diogmites platypterus
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Scarabaeidae Asilidae
Size 8-13 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Herbivores
Regions Africa, Australia, North America, South America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Gazelle Scarab

A small dung beetle originally from Africa, now established across multiple continents. It is one of the most widely introduced biological control agents for dung removal.

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Did You Know?

It was deliberately introduced to Australia in the 1960s to combat the bush fly problem caused by accumulating cattle dung.

Hanging Thief Robber Fly

A slender, elongate robber fly that hangs from vegetation by its front legs while feeding. It has long dangling legs and a distinctive hunting posture unlike most other asilids.

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Did You Know?

It earns its name by dangling from a single leg while consuming prey, freeing the other legs for handling food.